Process & Timeline

Building a new power resource requires the oversight and involvement of dozens of local, state and Federal agencies. There is a state-mandated process that must be followed by any prospective energy supplier — bidding, testing, planning, permitting, public outreach and analysis. To help learn about and follow this long and sometimes complex process, we've assembled a timeline and highlighted milestones of key interest:

Delaware requests stable-priced, clean, renewable energy:

Key Milestones Date  
House Bill #74 July 2005 Delaware's Renewable Portfolio Standard signed into law, requiring that 10% of the state's electricity come from renewable sources by the year 2018.
House Bill #6 passes May 2006 Delaware's legislature mandates that Delmarva must utilize energy from a plant located in Delaware, and to give preference to a project which best provides stable-priced power and uses renewable sources.
Delmarva issues Request for Proposals in response to HB #6 Nov 2006 Please see complete details at the Public Services Commission
Proposal development Aug-Dec 06 Potential suppliers, including both fossil fuel-based resources and renewable resources, like Bluewater Wind, prepare their proposals

Bluewater Wind prepares its proposal in response:

Key Milestones Time frame  
Planning begins Summer 2006 Feasibility studies begun, including preliminary environmental reviews, wind assessments, oceanographic studies, etc.
Design begins Fall 2006 Foundation options explored, engineering begun, turbine lay-out determined, etc.
Public outreach On-going Meetings with stakeholders will continue through-out the entire project process.
Proposal Review Dec06 - Spring 08 Several Delaware agencies - Public Service Commission, Energy Office, Management and Budget, and the Controller General's office - review bids along with Delmarva to select project to be constructed.
Contract Awarded Summer 08 Power Purchase Agreement between Delmarva and project company is finalized;

Based upon the bid outcome, NRG Bluewater Wind is moving forward with...

Permitting and environmental verification, final design:

Key Milestones Time frame  
Verify engineering studies 12-24 months from signing contract All feasibility studies must be verified, tested and finalized
Complete environmental Impact studies 12-24 months after signing contract Exhaustive, site-specific studies are analyzed
Obtain final permits 12-24 months from signing contract Dozens of state, local and federal agencies are involved; view list
Community outreach On-going Public meetings held by state agencies take place, along with information sessions sponsored by NRG Bluewater Wind

Construction & Installation

Key Milestones Time frame  
Finalize engineering design 6-12 months As additional data on the sea floor and waves become available from further on-site studies, the foundation and tower design is finalized.
Construction & installation 12-36 months Assembling turbine components begins on-shore. As tower foundations are completed, turbines are installed and brought online to maximize efficiency and begin delivering wind energy electricity to Delaware quickly.
Community outreach On-going NRG Bluewater Wind continues information sessions to keep the public informed of progress and address any questions that come up during construction.

Operations, maintenance and decommissioning:

Key Milestones Time frame  
Maintenance On-going Wind turbines require minimal upkeep, typically less than 48 hours per year. A small operations center at a nearby port facility is utilized.
Decommissioning Before construction begins, firm provisions are made for decommissioning at the end of the project's useful life- approximately 25 years During the planning process and as a permitting requirement, provisions are put in place to remove the turbines at the end of their useful life, regardless of who owns the turbines at that time.

Local Authorities

  • To be participant in NEPA/State review
  • Municipalities with potential visible impacts
  • Local communities transited by onshore cable route
  • Building permits as required

State Regulations, Permits & Approvals

  • DNREC- State Environmental Review (associated with NEPA)
  • Coastal Zone Act Status Decision
  • Coastal Zone Act Permit
  • Coastal Federal Consistency Certification
  • Subaqueous lands permits and leases
  • Wetlands permit
  • Section 401 Water Certification
  • NPDES Storm Water Permit
  • Air Quality Permits
  • DNREC- Div. of Fish and Wildlife
  • DNREC- Div of Parks and Recreation
  • Beach Preservation Act of 1972
  • Delaware PSC
  • DE River Basin Commission
  • DE Heritage Commission
  • DE Economic Development Office
  • DE Energy Office
  • DelDOT

Federal Regulations and Reviews

  • Energy Policy Act 2005
  • Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972
  • Rivers and Harbors Acts of 1890 and 1899
  • Clean Water Act of 1977
  • Navigation and Navigable Waters
  • Federal Aviation Administration
  • National Environmental Policy Act
  • Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974
  • Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958
  • Endangered Species Act of 1973
  • Estuary Protection Act
  • Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act
  • US Coast Guard
  • Marine Mammal Protection Act
  • Magneson-Stevens Conservation and Management Act
  • Migratory Bird Treaty Act
  • Abandoned Shipwreck Act
  • Approval for Private Aids to Navigation
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